Taijul Islam Sets New Record as Bangladesh's Leading Test Wicket-Taker

Post by : Mara Rahim

In a remarkable achievement, Taijul Islam, the left-arm spinner from Bangladesh, has claimed the title of the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket for his nation. This milestone was reached during the second Test match against Ireland at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, where he surpassed the previous record held by the illustrious all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, who ended his career with 246 wickets.

Taijul's historic moment materialized when he dismissed Ireland opener Andrew Balbirnie in the sixth over of the second innings, bringing his total to an impressive 248 wickets from just 57 matches and 102 innings. At just 28 years old, he notably boasts 17 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls, underscoring his consistency and skill on the international stage. By contrast, Shakib secured his 246 wickets over 71 matches and 121 innings, which included 19 five-fers and two ten-fers.

With this achievement, Taijul has solidified his position at the pinnacle of Bangladesh's Test bowling roster. Following him is Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who ranks third with 209 wickets in 56 matches and 98 innings, including 13 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket match hauls. The former spinner Mohammad Rafique sits fourth with 100 wickets from 33 Tests, and former captain Mashrafe Mortaza ranks fifth with 78 wickets in 36 matches.

In the current second Test, Bangladesh finds themselves in a strong position. After winning the toss and batting first, they amassed a substantial total of 476 runs. Noteworthy contributions came from wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, who marked his 100th Test with a solid 106 from 214 balls, and Litton Das's aggressive 128 from 192 deliveries.

For Ireland, Andy McBrine stood out with an impressive six wickets for 109 runs in 33.1 overs during the first innings. His teammates Matthew Humphreys (2/151) and Gavin Hoey (2/115) shared the remaining wickets. Ultimately, Ireland was bowled out for 265 runs, handing Bangladesh a 211-run lead, with Taijul taking four wickets for 76 runs over 35.3 overs.

Bangladesh declared their second innings at 297 for 4, setting Ireland a challenging target of 507 runs. The Bangladeshi batsmen exhibited exceptional skill, with Mominul Haque scoring 87, Shadman Islam 78, and opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy contributing 60 runs.

As the match progresses, Ireland struggles at 112 for 3 in 30.1 overs, still requiring 397 runs to clinch victory on Day 4. Following their dominant innings and 47-run win in the first Test at Sylhet, Bangladesh leads the two-match Test series 1-0.

Taijul's groundbreaking accomplishment has drawn acclaim from fans and cricket analysts alike. His unwavering performance has played a pivotal role in establishing Bangladesh as a formidable Test side. With many promising years ahead, Taijul is poised to extend his record and further secure his legacy as one of Bangladesh’s cricketing greats.